Envelope opener



C. C. GRUHLER March 6, 1.928.

ENVELOPE OPENER Filed Jan. 24. 1927 Patented Mar. 6, 192s.

N UNITED STATE-S CHARLES GR-HLER, OF FORT THOMAS, KENTUCKY.. y i

NvELoPE OPENER Application nliixanuary 24, 192?.` semi No.ieaio., .i

The invention relatesto improvements in devices for cuttingor trimi'ning papenand the like and the present disclosure is directed to such aydevic'e designed primarily for useinopening envelopes.

Itis one object of the invention to provide a device of the class Vset Vforth which is simple and inexpensive and embodies unique means for limiting the movement` of the trimming knife. In the present disclosure, a portion of the limiting means also co-acts with a spring which normally7 raises the knife to an inoperative position.

Another aim ,of the invention is to provide a tension spring disposed in a novel manner to prevent springing of the knife away from the straight edge with which it co-acts.

llVith the foregoing in view,the invention Vresides in the novel subject `matter hereinafter described .andclaimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing. y

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the knife.

Figs. 3 and 4 `are vertical transverse sections on lines 3 3 and 444of Fig. 1. l

In the `drawing above briefly described, .the numeral 5 designates an appropriate base which may be of the design sho-wn or if desired may be hollow. This base is provided with a longitudinal slot 6, at least one edge of which is straight for co-action with a horizontally elongated Vknife 7. In the present showing, one end of this knife'confacts with one side of a vertical plate 8 which! rises rigidly from the base 5, said plate being preferably provided with a base flange 9 secured by appropriate fasteners 10 to said base. A pivot stud 11 extends from the knife 7 through an opening in the plate 8 and is provided on its outerend with a nut or the like 12. A coiled compression spring 13 surrounds the stud 11 between theV plate 8 and the nut 12 and so bears against the latter as to hold the knife 7 in contact with the plate 8,k in such position that the one endconnccted at 15 with the knife, while its otherend` is suitably anchored -at 16 to the base, said spring being disposedy transversely of tbe base and serving to pull the knife toward the straight edge ofthe slot 6. Y l l The upper end 1 of the plate 8 is4 formed with a'notch 17 having vertical ends 1S and 19 constituting stops fora` `purpose to appear. A horizontal lug 20 which is rigid with the upper edge of the knife projects through the notch 17 and is co-operable with Vthe notch edges 18 and19 to'limit both the upward and the downward movement of said knife. One end 21 of the spring 13 is seated in a notch 22 in one edge of the lug 2() and the other end 23 of said spring bears against the flange 9, said spring having sufficient torsional strength toact upon the lug 20 and normally raise the knife 7, until. said lug strikes the stop 18 formed by one vertical edge of the notch 17. -With the knife thus held in raised position, an envelope or the like may be inserted beneath it. Then,

`by pressing upon a suitable knob 24C` at the envelope or the like may be inserted under the knife 7. Thisy rear guard is by preference provided with brackets 28 having slots 29 through which thumb screws 30 pass to these'thumb screws, the guard 27 may be adjusted toward or from thek slot 6 to vary the amount which may be trimmed from envelopes or analogous objects.

It will be seen from the foregoing that while the invention issimple and ineXpensive, it will be efficient and very desirable. and as excellent results may be .obtained lfrom the details disclosed, such details may well befollowed. However. within the scope of the inventionV as claimed, variations may be made.k For instance, While the plate 8 se I vsecure the guard to the base 5. `By loosening and the guard 25 are herein shown as formed separately, they might in some instances be connected integrally.

I claim:

1. In a trimmin r device. a hase, a plate secured to and rising rigidly from said hase, the upper edge of said plate. having a notch, a ltrimming knife havingv one of its end portions disposed at one side of said plate. a pivot for said knife connecting it with said plate, and a lug rigid with said knife and projecting laterally therefrom through the aforesaid notch, said lug being cti-operable with an end of said notch to limit the move* ment of the knife.

2. In a trimming device`v a hase. a plate secured to and rising rigidly from said hase, the upper edge of said plate having a notch, a trimmingl knife having one of its end p0rtions disposed at one side of said plate, a pivot for said knife connecting it with said plate and projecting laterally from the latter. a lug rigid with said knife and pro- ]eeting laterally therefrom through the aforesaid notch` and a spring wound around said pivotand havin;T an end engaged with said lug to raise the knife until the lug` strikes one end of said notch.

In a trimming device. a hase, a plate secured to and rising rigidly from said hase, the upper edge of said plate having a notch.y ay trimming knife having one of its end portions disposed at one side of said plate, a. pivot for said knife connecting ity with said plate, a pivot 'for said knife connecting ity wit-h said plate and projecting laterally from the latter`v a lug rigid with .said knife and projecting laterally therefrom thrtntgh the aforesaid notch. and a spring wound around said pivot and having an end engaged with said lug to raise the knife until the lng strikes one end of said notch. the other end of the notch and the lug being co-operahle to limit the depression of the knife.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed signature.

yCI'LXRL'ES C. GRU-H LER. 

